The triple-component Ag3PO4-CoFe2O4-GO synthesis and visible light photocatalytic performance

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel triple-component silver phosphate-cobalt ferrite-graphene oxide (Ag3PO4-CoFe2O4-GO) photocatalyst, illustrates its synthetic principle of adjusting the pH value, elaborates on its dual-channel reaction mechanism and reveals its advantages. Morphology and elementary analyses revealed that the magnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and the GO were uniformly adorned on the Ag3PO4 particles’ surface, forming a spherical structure. Because of this particular structure, not only could the Ag3PO4-CoFe2O4-GO composite be thoroughly removed with magnet field from treated water, but the photocatalytic activity and stability had been greatly improved to pure Ag3PO4. The effects of different samples were also evaluated, in terms of the efficiencies in inactivation and degradation. The reactive oxygen species (ROSs) yield measurements and photoluminescence spectra analysis indicated that O2 adsorption could be promoted by the CoFe2O4 and the GO. Upon visible light irradiation, a part of motivated electrons of the Ag3PO4 were consumed by the CoFe2O4, and others were transferred to the GO. The effective electron-hole separation is due to the dual transfer channel existing in the Ag3PO4-CoFe2O4-GO composite. Hence, the dual transfer channel is the major reason for enhancing photocatalytic activity and stability.